This is it! We are now officially in the final week of #NaNoWriMo2014. I am so close to the end I can taste it. My word count stands at just short of 38,000, and I am determined to succeed with this year's challenge. My story is a good one. In fact, I might go so far as to say it could even be a future bestseller... but that all depends on me finishing it and making it presentable for publishing.
And so, I leave you with a short and sweet update. I have had a long and difficult month. My right wrist is encased in a white support bandage due to a severe flare up of RSI. I have been juggling full time motherhood of two young children. I have close family members with mental health problems that have required attention during recent weeks. And I am beginning to plan for Christmas, which involves making cards and doing the gift shopping.
Phew! I think I need a holiday... but first, I have another 12,000 words to write. Happy Winning, fellow Nanoers!
Vampire writer of fantasy books for adults, werewolf fiction and LGBT fantasy books. Polyamory rules in my world!
Sunday 23 November 2014
Friday 14 November 2014
My #NaNoWriMo2014 Vampire Hunter Novel
Hey folks! How you doin'? Can you tell I am excited? Well I am! I just reached the halfway point on my #NaNoWriMo manuscript, and a day ahead of schedule. Hooray! Not bad considering I was 10,000 words short just 24 hours ago. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it... Anyway, because I feel very excited about this particular novel, I would like to share an excerpt with you. The story is about Hannah Oakley, a former vampire hunter turned wife and mother. She returns to work covertly to hunt down the vampire that almost killed her in a previous career. This is an excerpt from the very beginning of the novel (unedited, I might add!)...
Staring into the darkness, I held my breath and raised my gun, forcing my body to remain calm and still. She was out there, my target, the vampire I was supposed to destroy. She had eluded me for long enough. I had to end it. But I didn’t. I could hear movement, but it wasn’t her. She was too clever, to strong, too determined. There was a draft blowing through the cracked window to my left, and I felt the cold air whipping across my face. It stung where the vampire had hit me. My skin was stiff with dried blood, and sticky with more as it oozed from my wounds. I was beginning to lose consciousness. No, I could not give in. If I collapsed now then she would win. She would kill me. I was not ready to die.
With a terrifying scream the vampire leaped out of the darkness, hit me again, and I flew backwards, landing with a heavy thud on the concrete floor. It stunned me momentarily, and I panicked when I lost my gun. I tried to reach for the silver knife sheathed on my left leg, but I was too slow, groggy with the pain and shock from my wounds. The vampire crouched over me, her silver eyes glowing in the dark. It was those eyes that had been my undoing. That and my inexplicable attraction to this woman when I first met her. It was no good. I was fading fast, gasping for breath and fighting to stay alive. My body could take no more abuse.
“I could end this now, Hannah,” the vampire said, “All it takes is one more kiss.”
She reached out a slender finger and lightly stroked my face. I flinched and tried to move away but I couldn’t. I saw her fangs gleaming in the moonlight that streamed through the broken window. My nose wrinkled as it detected a smell of damp mixed with the cold, dead stench of vampire power. Just one more kiss. It would be so easy. She would kiss me, just like she always did, and the world would simply melt away. We would be alone, wrapped in each other’s arms, for eternity. My head lolled back, exposing my bleeding neck, and she moved closer, hovering above me as she savoured the moment. I closed my eyes.
“Mummy,”
The vampire was kissing me…
“Mummy! Where are you?”
My eyes snapped open. The room spun. Blinking rapidly, I looked around. I was in the kitchen, standing by the worktop, idly stirring a mug of tea that was beginning to cool. It had happened again. The flashbacks were more frequent, and now it seemed they were lasting for longer. Shaking my head, I stepped away from the worktop and turned towards the door.
“I’m in here, sweetheart,” I called out in a voice that shook very slightly.
“Mummy,” my daughter called.
Staring into the darkness, I held my breath and raised my gun, forcing my body to remain calm and still. She was out there, my target, the vampire I was supposed to destroy. She had eluded me for long enough. I had to end it. But I didn’t. I could hear movement, but it wasn’t her. She was too clever, to strong, too determined. There was a draft blowing through the cracked window to my left, and I felt the cold air whipping across my face. It stung where the vampire had hit me. My skin was stiff with dried blood, and sticky with more as it oozed from my wounds. I was beginning to lose consciousness. No, I could not give in. If I collapsed now then she would win. She would kill me. I was not ready to die.
With a terrifying scream the vampire leaped out of the darkness, hit me again, and I flew backwards, landing with a heavy thud on the concrete floor. It stunned me momentarily, and I panicked when I lost my gun. I tried to reach for the silver knife sheathed on my left leg, but I was too slow, groggy with the pain and shock from my wounds. The vampire crouched over me, her silver eyes glowing in the dark. It was those eyes that had been my undoing. That and my inexplicable attraction to this woman when I first met her. It was no good. I was fading fast, gasping for breath and fighting to stay alive. My body could take no more abuse.
“I could end this now, Hannah,” the vampire said, “All it takes is one more kiss.”
She reached out a slender finger and lightly stroked my face. I flinched and tried to move away but I couldn’t. I saw her fangs gleaming in the moonlight that streamed through the broken window. My nose wrinkled as it detected a smell of damp mixed with the cold, dead stench of vampire power. Just one more kiss. It would be so easy. She would kiss me, just like she always did, and the world would simply melt away. We would be alone, wrapped in each other’s arms, for eternity. My head lolled back, exposing my bleeding neck, and she moved closer, hovering above me as she savoured the moment. I closed my eyes.
“Mummy,”
The vampire was kissing me…
“Mummy! Where are you?”
My eyes snapped open. The room spun. Blinking rapidly, I looked around. I was in the kitchen, standing by the worktop, idly stirring a mug of tea that was beginning to cool. It had happened again. The flashbacks were more frequent, and now it seemed they were lasting for longer. Shaking my head, I stepped away from the worktop and turned towards the door.
“I’m in here, sweetheart,” I called out in a voice that shook very slightly.
“Mummy,” my daughter called.
Thursday 13 November 2014
The World's Best Grammar Checker #amwriting
I pride myself on being a bit of a 'grammar ninja' when it comes to writing. That includes everything from my blog posts to social media statuses, and everything in-between. And, of course, the final copy of my manuscripts undergoes serious scrutiny before I deem it good enough to publish. Here is a useful infographic from Grammarly, 'The World's Best Grammar Checker.'
Wednesday 12 November 2014
The Witch is Awake in Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) #HumpDayHook #Vampires
Greetings my friends, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Hump Day Hook. Today I show an excerpt from book 3 in the Redcliffe novels series. Here is a snippet from Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel). Jessica has awakened her true witch power, and now she needs help from her werewolf friend.
“Jessica,” he said, “What’s wrong?”
“Simon,” I replied with a sob, “You have to come quickly. I’ve hurt Jack. I don’t know how badly. Please, hurry.”
There was a moment of silence while Simon thought about my words.
“Alright,” he said quietly, “Don’t panic. I will be there in five minutes. I’m sure he will be fine, Jessica.”
I put my phone away, staring at Jack. I knew he wasn’t dead. After my recent experience with killing a vampire, I knew that Jack and Marcus would have turned to dust. But I didn’t know what I had done to them. All I knew was it had been a surge of pure energy, a power so strong it hit each of them like a fist. I was trembling, and my head was spinning.
If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!
“Jessica,” he said, “What’s wrong?”
“Simon,” I replied with a sob, “You have to come quickly. I’ve hurt Jack. I don’t know how badly. Please, hurry.”
There was a moment of silence while Simon thought about my words.
“Alright,” he said quietly, “Don’t panic. I will be there in five minutes. I’m sure he will be fine, Jessica.”
I put my phone away, staring at Jack. I knew he wasn’t dead. After my recent experience with killing a vampire, I knew that Jack and Marcus would have turned to dust. But I didn’t know what I had done to them. All I knew was it had been a surge of pure energy, a power so strong it hit each of them like a fist. I was trembling, and my head was spinning.
If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!
Saturday 8 November 2014
Will I Succeed This Time? #NaNoWriMo
It is that time of year folks. How on earth did we get to November already? I have no idea. All I know is it has been a long and challenging year, and yet it seems to have gone really quickly. Back in April I attempted to do #CampNaNoWriMo. It wasn't quite the success I anticipated, but at least now I have the beginnings of a YA novel languishing on my hard drive until such time as I feel the urge to finish it.
For #NaNoWriMo 2014 I have returned to my vampires. OK, I never truly left them. But this time I am writing a story about a vampire hunter. Hannah Oakley retired from the job nine years ago after the vampire she was hunting seduced and almost killed her. She never did finish the job, and the vampire is out there, somewhere. Hannah is now married with two young children, and finding motherhood both a joy and a chore (sound familiar?). We meet her at the point where she is remembering the past, wondering about her former vampire lover, and wondering if she will ever be able to slay the one vampire who broke through her strong defenses.
The good news is, I am getting into this story. It is quite exciting, it is calling to me, albeit it faintly at the moment, and I do feel the urge to write every day. My difficultly lies with the ever-present domestic distractions. I am currently home alone with my own two young children, one of whom returns to pre-school next week after an extended half-term holiday. Perhaps then I might settle into a proper writing routine. As it stands I have written 4,957 words. The NaNoWriMo stats tell me at this rate I will complete the challenge on January 10th 2015. I had better suck it up, get my ass into gear, and get some words on the page!
Happy writing, fellow Wrimos!
*Vampire hunter image courtesy of 500px.com
For #NaNoWriMo 2014 I have returned to my vampires. OK, I never truly left them. But this time I am writing a story about a vampire hunter. Hannah Oakley retired from the job nine years ago after the vampire she was hunting seduced and almost killed her. She never did finish the job, and the vampire is out there, somewhere. Hannah is now married with two young children, and finding motherhood both a joy and a chore (sound familiar?). We meet her at the point where she is remembering the past, wondering about her former vampire lover, and wondering if she will ever be able to slay the one vampire who broke through her strong defenses.
The good news is, I am getting into this story. It is quite exciting, it is calling to me, albeit it faintly at the moment, and I do feel the urge to write every day. My difficultly lies with the ever-present domestic distractions. I am currently home alone with my own two young children, one of whom returns to pre-school next week after an extended half-term holiday. Perhaps then I might settle into a proper writing routine. As it stands I have written 4,957 words. The NaNoWriMo stats tell me at this rate I will complete the challenge on January 10th 2015. I had better suck it up, get my ass into gear, and get some words on the page!
Happy writing, fellow Wrimos!
*Vampire hunter image courtesy of 500px.com
Wednesday 5 November 2014
Love Kills in the Hump Day Hook #HDH #ASMSG
Greetings my friends, and welcome to this week’s edition of the Hump Day Hook. Today I show an excerpt from book 2 in the Redcliffe novels series. Here is a snippet from Love Kills (A Redcliffe Novel). Our heroine, Jessica Stone, has returned to the werewolf lair for the first time since she discovered the secrets of her town. And now she faces a new challenge in the form of the werewolf alpha, Danny Mason.
We were back in the entrance hallway, the one where I had almost died. I stopped in the middle of the room, staring down at a dark stain on the flags. This was my blood. I had lain here, bleeding from the neck and stomach, when Danny had fought Seamus Tully to the death. Closing my eyes I could hear the dim sounds of snarls and growls, turning to howls as wolves were slain. Simon and Sally had been injured but they healed quickly, so when they visited me in hospital it seemed like I was the only one to suffer. I took a few deep breaths, and when I opened my eyes Danny was standing silently beside me. I hadn’t even felt his presence.
“The floor has been cleaned several times.” Danny said, looking down at the stain.
“A permanent reminder I suppose.” I said lightly, though my voice quivered.
“Come, Jessica, let us return to the pub.” Danny said, taking my hand and gently leading me towards the door across the room.
I nodded.
“Yes,” I said, “I need a drink.”
If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and see what my fellow authors have to offer. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!
Friday 31 October 2014
One Epic Ghost Hunt: Bodelwyddan Castle, Wales – Saturday 10th April 2010
Wow! This was one epic and exciting ghost hunt! Bodelwyddan Castle is beautifully kept and a fantastic museum and antique centre. And they have a second-hand bookshop in the grounds! I could feel the Spirit energy building as I drove to the venue, and it felt excited, as though the ghosts were ready to play...
On the walk round I felt dizzy in the hallway by the main staircase. I knew that it was an active area but couldn’t connect with any of the energies to identify them. The Library was a very masculine room, both in décor and the general atmosphere. The Dining Room felt more welcoming and a bit more feminine-influenced. In the bedroom I sensed a female spirit who was a very pretty and delicate lady and she was immensely proud of this room. She wanted us to admire it because it was modern and stylish.
In the Library we spoke to Alfred, his brother Thomas, and a man who called himself Jeffries. This was all done using the planchette. Jeffries said he had murdered Thomas out of jealousy and he wasn’t remorseful. In fact he seemed quite proud of his crime. Jeffries was very strong and he moved the planchette across the table so it had two wheels hanging over the edge. Then he moved it around the edge of the table but he lost it on the corner and it fell to the floor. I had never experienced this kind of movement before and was very impressed.
In the Dining Room we set up the glass and spoke to Margaret, who was Alfred’s wife. She seemed very gentle and pleasant and told us she had three children, Alex, Jonathon and Alison. We were about to ask her some more questions when Alfred came in and took over the glass, advising us that he had sent his family away and we should speak to him! He was very protective and I got the impression he was well loved and respected by his wife and children, and vice-versa.
After that we spoke to George, who came across as a portly, jovial 18th Century gentleman who enjoyed his brandy and the ladies! His son Henry also came onto the glass but wouldn’t speak to the women in our group. He only answered questions from a man. Apparently George had a mistress and an illegitimate daughter and it destroyed the family. As a result of this Henry blamed the mistress and subsequently mistrusted women.
We then spoke to Bernadette, the illegitimate daughter. She said we could call her Bernie, and explained that she and her mother were banished from the castle after the truth of George’s affair came out. Bernie’s mother resented her for spoiling everything and she had an unhappy childhood as a result. We felt really sorry for Bernie! But then she said that she had been happily married and had children of her own. We even sympathized with Henry after he told us the story and he gradually began answering questions from one of the women in our group. After a while we felt the strong presences of all these Spirits surrounding us and it made us feel quite uncomfortable so we ended the vigil and went for a break.
In the rear hallway we sat on the floor to try some EVP and Pete (Medium) became overwhelmed by a drunkard gamekeeper called James. This man affected a couple of women in our group by making them feel dizzy and one even smelt alcohol fumes. Pete then said that James was having lewd thoughts about us! He had been a hard worker and a hard drinker during his life but he seemed harmless enough. At the end of the hallway was a sofa and I could see a man sat on it watching our group. He wasn’t the gamekeeper; I think he was a gentleman, but I could get nothing from him. He was simply observing but didn’t want to interact. I also saw a lady in the hallway stood near our table. She was curious about us but wouldn’t come any closer because she was afraid of James and what he might do. She was tall and slender, with brown hair worn in an up-do, and she was wearing a pale blue dress.
We moved into the main hallway and found the other group with a tipping-table. Paul (Medium) had contacted five young children and 14 year-old Patricia. We started singing Ring O Roses and the table actually moved in time to the nursery rhyme! It was amazing! Then someone suggested we try a different song and the children joined in with Row Your Boat! I was so impressed and excited because I've never seen this before and it was such a fantastic experience.
Later on we were doing EVP in the bedroom and we heard the sound of one of the toys being played in the Toy Room upstairs. Two people went to investigate and couldn't explain how it had happened. We all hovered on the landing for a bit but it was quiet and when we moved away we heard it again, it was eerie!
In the cellar we had been told there was a man who had been affecting people in the other group earlier that night. He is apparently a very mischievous Spirit who had tormented many people over the years to the point where the Bodelwyddan staff refer to him as ‘Cellar Man’ and are used to his presence! So we went in search of him. He moved the glass a little bit and said his name was Matthew but we didn’t believe him. Eventually we got bored and left him.
Finally we spoke to Mary using the glass in the Library. Apparently she was George’s sister and they were cousins with Alfred and Thomas. Mary was married to Timothy and her children were Anne, Emily, Laura and Giles. She seemed very happy and was strong and talkative. In fact it was dawn outside when we finished speaking to her! Mary told us that George’s wife was Margaret and his mistress was called Lillian. Mary and George also had a sister called Caroline. Mary also told us that the man in the cellar was called Harold.
Bodelwyddan Castle is certainly a home with a rich history and a large family. I think we could compile a whole biography from these spirits if we were to return with a list of questions…
On the walk round I felt dizzy in the hallway by the main staircase. I knew that it was an active area but couldn’t connect with any of the energies to identify them. The Library was a very masculine room, both in décor and the general atmosphere. The Dining Room felt more welcoming and a bit more feminine-influenced. In the bedroom I sensed a female spirit who was a very pretty and delicate lady and she was immensely proud of this room. She wanted us to admire it because it was modern and stylish.
In the Library we spoke to Alfred, his brother Thomas, and a man who called himself Jeffries. This was all done using the planchette. Jeffries said he had murdered Thomas out of jealousy and he wasn’t remorseful. In fact he seemed quite proud of his crime. Jeffries was very strong and he moved the planchette across the table so it had two wheels hanging over the edge. Then he moved it around the edge of the table but he lost it on the corner and it fell to the floor. I had never experienced this kind of movement before and was very impressed.
After that we spoke to George, who came across as a portly, jovial 18th Century gentleman who enjoyed his brandy and the ladies! His son Henry also came onto the glass but wouldn’t speak to the women in our group. He only answered questions from a man. Apparently George had a mistress and an illegitimate daughter and it destroyed the family. As a result of this Henry blamed the mistress and subsequently mistrusted women.
We then spoke to Bernadette, the illegitimate daughter. She said we could call her Bernie, and explained that she and her mother were banished from the castle after the truth of George’s affair came out. Bernie’s mother resented her for spoiling everything and she had an unhappy childhood as a result. We felt really sorry for Bernie! But then she said that she had been happily married and had children of her own. We even sympathized with Henry after he told us the story and he gradually began answering questions from one of the women in our group. After a while we felt the strong presences of all these Spirits surrounding us and it made us feel quite uncomfortable so we ended the vigil and went for a break.
In the rear hallway we sat on the floor to try some EVP and Pete (Medium) became overwhelmed by a drunkard gamekeeper called James. This man affected a couple of women in our group by making them feel dizzy and one even smelt alcohol fumes. Pete then said that James was having lewd thoughts about us! He had been a hard worker and a hard drinker during his life but he seemed harmless enough. At the end of the hallway was a sofa and I could see a man sat on it watching our group. He wasn’t the gamekeeper; I think he was a gentleman, but I could get nothing from him. He was simply observing but didn’t want to interact. I also saw a lady in the hallway stood near our table. She was curious about us but wouldn’t come any closer because she was afraid of James and what he might do. She was tall and slender, with brown hair worn in an up-do, and she was wearing a pale blue dress.
We moved into the main hallway and found the other group with a tipping-table. Paul (Medium) had contacted five young children and 14 year-old Patricia. We started singing Ring O Roses and the table actually moved in time to the nursery rhyme! It was amazing! Then someone suggested we try a different song and the children joined in with Row Your Boat! I was so impressed and excited because I've never seen this before and it was such a fantastic experience.
Later on we were doing EVP in the bedroom and we heard the sound of one of the toys being played in the Toy Room upstairs. Two people went to investigate and couldn't explain how it had happened. We all hovered on the landing for a bit but it was quiet and when we moved away we heard it again, it was eerie!
In the cellar we had been told there was a man who had been affecting people in the other group earlier that night. He is apparently a very mischievous Spirit who had tormented many people over the years to the point where the Bodelwyddan staff refer to him as ‘Cellar Man’ and are used to his presence! So we went in search of him. He moved the glass a little bit and said his name was Matthew but we didn’t believe him. Eventually we got bored and left him.
Finally we spoke to Mary using the glass in the Library. Apparently she was George’s sister and they were cousins with Alfred and Thomas. Mary was married to Timothy and her children were Anne, Emily, Laura and Giles. She seemed very happy and was strong and talkative. In fact it was dawn outside when we finished speaking to her! Mary told us that George’s wife was Margaret and his mistress was called Lillian. Mary and George also had a sister called Caroline. Mary also told us that the man in the cellar was called Harold.
Bodelwyddan Castle is certainly a home with a rich history and a large family. I think we could compile a whole biography from these spirits if we were to return with a list of questions…
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